Who is watching them? A study of the interpretation of the observation policy in a mental health unit

Abstract

This project confirmed the existence of a high preva lence of thyroid disorders among people with Down's syndrome. Fourteen out of the 69 subjects (20%) had hypothyroidism, and a further seven (10%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, while there was one definite and one sub-clinical hyperthyroidism. A sex differ ence was noted, with 12of the 25 females (48%) and 9 of the 44 males (20%) having clinical or sub-clinical hypothyroidism, while the two cases of hyperthy roidism were male. Thyroid disorder was sufficiently commonly found to make a regular review both of the thyroid function tests and medication worth while. Although this system was devised for use with Suresh and Robertson a group of in-patients, it could be adapted for use with people with Down's syndrome living in the community.

Die intensive Überwachung von Patienten in der stationären psychiatrischen Akutversorgung

“…Aus Sicht der Pflegenden werden Überwachungen auch öfter als notwendig und demzufolge ohne rechtfertigende Grundlage angeordnet, was auch mit Umsetzungsschwierigkeiten aufgrund begrenzter Ressourcen verbunden ist [35]. Nach Hodgson et al [38] sollten Pflegende an dem Entscheidungsprozess beteiligt sein und Ärzte und Pflegende am besten gemeinsam die Entscheidung für die Anordnung und die Beendigung einer Überwachung treffen. Zu vergleichbaren Ergebnissen kommen auch Langenbach et al [31].…”

“…Ethisch und fachlich muss die Frage gestellt werden, ob eine einzelne Berufsgruppe mit der Entscheidung über die Einschränkung von Persönlichkeitsrechten alleingelassen werden darf. Nach der vorliegenden Literatur [25,31,33,38,51] scheint ein multifokaler Blickwinkel, gestützt durch standardisierte Assessmentinstrumente, zu den besten klinischen Entscheidungen zu führen. Bei einer konsequenten partizipativen Entscheidungsfindung führen ärztliche Vertretungssituationen voraussichtlich nicht zu unnötig langen Überwachungsmaßnahmen.…”

Observation intervention: time for an overview

“…2000); There is little agreement between authorities on what nurses should do during observation procedure, although under certain circumstances it can be therapeutic (Blythe & Pearlmutter 1983, Reid & Long 1993, Duffy 1995, Vrale & Steen 2005, Bowers & Simpson 2007); Nurses find observation procedure stressful and patients dislike it because it is oppressive and intrusive (Phillips et al. 1977, Reid & Long 1993); The decision to use observation procedure is supposed to be based upon assessment of risk, but this is an inexact science and is poorly performed (Hodgson et al. 1993).…”

“…The decision to use observation procedure is supposed to be based upon assessment of risk, but this is an inexact science and is poorly performed (Hodgson et al. 1993).…”

Assessment of risk and special observations in mental health practice: A comparison of forensic and non‐forensic settings

“…However, this author also stated that the authority to terminate the observations was less clear with most referring to a decision by a psychiatrist and little has changed today. Hodgson et al . (1993) reported that the medical staff stated that they were more involved in the decision to initiate and terminate than other disciplines and this was supported by Childs et al .’s (1994) study.…”